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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Spyderco AUS-8
- Thread starter S-3 ranch
- Start date
Even $90 for ats 55 is expensive unless its in immaculate condition. You can find user enduras for $60 in vg10 if youre lookibg for a user
sgt1372
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2018
- Messages
- 7,953
OP: I didn't see any pics of what you found. Does it look like any of these?
This is my collection of Gen 1 FRN Endura Clipits. The blade in the knife at the top is unmarked and is made w/Gin1 or 2 steel. The other 3 are all marked AUS-8.
They all have the earlier thin molded plastic clips which were made from around 1990-1996. The clips tended to break and were replaced by Spyderco w/metal clips when they were submitted to them for repair. Later models were made w/metal clips at the factory to avoid the problem altogether.
However, there were some thicker FRN clip versions made, before they switched entirely to metal clips, which looks like this:
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FYI, there is a Forum rule that prohibits giving a specific value estimate for a knife to any person who can NOT sell a knife on the Exchange, which requires at least a Gold Level membership.
Your request for info on the value of the knife you are considering could be considered falling w/in this rule. So, I will not offer a specific value estimate for that knife and will speak only generally on the topic.
If you've got a Gen 1 Endura that requires repair, I doubt that it would worth "restoring." On the other hand, it might be worth sending to Spyderco for repair depending on the extent of the damage and the price you pay for the knife.
However, if the the blade and/or clip has been repaired or requires repair, you'd probably be better off just buying a new or used late model Gen 4 Endura instead.
This is my collection of Gen 1 FRN Endura Clipits. The blade in the knife at the top is unmarked and is made w/Gin1 or 2 steel. The other 3 are all marked AUS-8.
They all have the earlier thin molded plastic clips which were made from around 1990-1996. The clips tended to break and were replaced by Spyderco w/metal clips when they were submitted to them for repair. Later models were made w/metal clips at the factory to avoid the problem altogether.
However, there were some thicker FRN clip versions made, before they switched entirely to metal clips, which looks like this:
----------------------------------------
FYI, there is a Forum rule that prohibits giving a specific value estimate for a knife to any person who can NOT sell a knife on the Exchange, which requires at least a Gold Level membership.
Your request for info on the value of the knife you are considering could be considered falling w/in this rule. So, I will not offer a specific value estimate for that knife and will speak only generally on the topic.
If you've got a Gen 1 Endura that requires repair, I doubt that it would worth "restoring." On the other hand, it might be worth sending to Spyderco for repair depending on the extent of the damage and the price you pay for the knife.
However, if the the blade and/or clip has been repaired or requires repair, you'd probably be better off just buying a new or used late model Gen 4 Endura instead.
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OP: I didn't see any pics of what you found. Does it look like any of these?
This is my collection of Gen 1 FRN Endura Clipits. The blade in the knife at the top is unmarked and is made w/Gin1 or 2 steel. The other 3 are all marked AUS-8.
They all have the earlier thin molded plastic clips which were made from around 1990-1996. The clips tended to break and where replaced by Spyderco w/metal clips when they did. Later models were made w/metal clips at the factory to avoid the problem altogether.
However, there were some thicker FRN clip versions made, before they switched entirely to metal clips, which looks like this:
----------------------------------------
FYI, there is a Forum rule that prohibits giving a specific value estimate for a knife to any person who can NOT sell a knife on the Exchange, which requires at least a Gold Level membership.
Your request for info on the value of the knife you are considering could be considered falling w/in this rule. So, I will not offer a specific value estimate for that knife and will speak only generally on the topic.
If you've got a Gen 1 Endura that requires repair, I doubt that it would worth "restoring." On the other hand, it might be worth sending to Spyderco for repair depending on the extent of the damage and the price you pay for the knife.
However, if the the blade and/or clip has been repaired or requires repair, you'd probably be better off just buying a new or used late model Gen 4 Endura instead.
Thank for the heads up about listing pricing, And yes these are old school clip it’s, in various states of disrepair, I am kinda unfamiliar with some steels , as most of my stuff is vintage gerber 7223’s 440c or cruwear , and D2 , and case or buck carbon steel, except these spyderco I am looking at for edc folder
sgt1372
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2018
- Messages
- 7,953
There are others who know a lot more than I do but these are the steels that Spyderco used early on based on my recollection of the chronology of use:
Gin 1/2
AUS-8
ATS-34/ATS-55/AUS-6
VG-10
This covers a period of roughly between 1990 thru the early 2000's. ATS-55 was used only in a very limited way w/the Endura. As far as I know, ATS-34 was never used w/the Endura.
The most common steels used w/Gen 1 Enduras were Gin 1/2 & AUS8. My guess, based on SpydieWikie and Spyderco Source data, is that ATS-55 was used in Gen 3 Enduras between 1997-2000 and VG10 was ever since after that. AUS-6 was used primarily w/Gen 2 Enduras around the same time.
I personally would NOT place a greater or lesser value on any "collectible" Endura based on the blade steel used but the blade steel used is a relatively good indicator of the age of the knife prior to the use of VG10.
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“”If you've got a Gen 1 Endura that requires repair, I doubt that it would worth "restoring." On the other hand, it might be worth sending to Spyderco for repair depending on the extent of the damage and the price you pay for the knife.
However, if the the blade and/or clip has been repaired or requires repair, you'd probably be better off just buying a new or used late model Gen 4 Endura instead.””
Boy howdy, I just got a letter from spyderco saying the exact same
Things about the knives I sent in, every one will require a blade overhaul, as the seller sharpen them incorrect and fouled up the serrations, lessons learned “ unless I can inspect older knives I need to just pass “
Very disappointed with my decision to buy them
However, if the the blade and/or clip has been repaired or requires repair, you'd probably be better off just buying a new or used late model Gen 4 Endura instead.””
Boy howdy, I just got a letter from spyderco saying the exact same
Things about the knives I sent in, every one will require a blade overhaul, as the seller sharpen them incorrect and fouled up the serrations, lessons learned “ unless I can inspect older knives I need to just pass “
Very disappointed with my decision to buy them
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sgt1372
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2018
- Messages
- 7,953
I wouldn't say that.
There are a lot of "old" ones are are pretty darn good; most of which aren't made any more.
And I'm not just talking about Spydercos.
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S60V comes to mind...although it’s apparently being made again.
I like the old style with the FRN integral clip.
I always had great luck with fully serrated blades in AUS-8. I still use my old original Catcherman model in full SE in AUS-8 and you couldn't buy it from me. I really loved the Catcherman with that steel and I've been trying to find a back up unit for it. Those aren't even easy to find in CE anymore much less in full SE.
I also had an older Spyderco RESCUE model in AUS-8 in full Spyderedge. I wish I had kept that one. Oh you can't beat VG-10 in full SE but AUS-8 was great with teeth.
I also had an older Spyderco RESCUE model in AUS-8 in full Spyderedge. I wish I had kept that one. Oh you can't beat VG-10 in full SE but AUS-8 was great with teeth.
Midget
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2002
- Messages
- 2,806
me too! the FRN clip was nice bc it didnt scratch your car if you brush up against it!
I also liked the barrel-style because I've never had it fail on me. the newer style (w/ 3 bolts), I've broken maybe 3-5 of them. Spyderco CS has always been outstanding with this!
I had two of the barrel style end up shaving FRN slices from the handle when the clip twisted. Both were replaced under warranty but after the second one I sold the knife because I considered it a design flaw.me too! the FRN clip was nice bc it didnt scratch your car if you brush up against it!
I also liked the barrel-style because I've never had it fail on me. the newer style (w/ 3 bolts), I've broken maybe 3-5 of them. Spyderco CS has always been outstanding with this!
My original clipit didn't last long enough to break the clip because the tip of the blade broke first. Had to pay for that repair but they sent me the new model Endura with barrel clip as the repair
One Spyderco model I have from the old AUS-8 era is my Full SE Catcherman model. It has sold me on the fact that AUS-8 makes a great full SE model. I disagree with the one fellow member>> I do think that a full SE Endura model is worth $65. AUS-8 in full SE is a great performer.
Another model I really loved from the AUS-8 era was the stainless handled version of the Caly Jr. model. I used to own the PE & SE both in the Stainless Caly Jr. model. It is the only one of the Caly Jr. models that they made with a hollow grind that I'm aware of. I personally have found AUS-8 to be a great steel for fully serrated ( Spyderedged) models.
Another model I really loved from the AUS-8 era was the stainless handled version of the Caly Jr. model. I used to own the PE & SE both in the Stainless Caly Jr. model. It is the only one of the Caly Jr. models that they made with a hollow grind that I'm aware of. I personally have found AUS-8 to be a great steel for fully serrated ( Spyderedged) models.